Photo Credit: Steinberg Hart Website / Canopy Housing Rendering
(SAN RAMON, CA.) – San Ramon is getting a massive influx of new housing. Lennar Homes just bought 25 acres of the Bishop Ranch business park from Sunset Development Company, with plans to build a 255-home neighborhood called Canopy. The deal is a huge part of the ongoing effort to transform the old suburban office park into what Alex Mehran Jr., president of Sunset Development, envisions as the “best suburban downtown in America.”
Located near the intersection of Executive Parkway and Bishop Drive, just east of Interstate 680, the project will replace the existing BR8 office hub. The three office buildings currently on the site are scheduled for demolition in mid-to-late 2027, clearing the way for the construction of a mix of detached, single-family homes ranging from two to three stories. While Lennar will develop the bulk of the property, Sunset Development will retain the remaining two acres of the lot to build future affordable multi-family housing.
Designed around a central five-block linear park, the Canopy neighborhood will feature a community pool, a clubhouse, a children’s play area, and dedicated spaces for dogs. The project’s architect, Steinberg Hart, called the project a major turning point for the area. “The larger Bishop Ranch vision seeks to transform a traditional office park into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood that seamlessly integrates living, working, recreation, retail, and sustainable design,” the firm said. “Canopy plays a critical role in realizing this vision by providing much-needed affordable housing in alignment with the City of San Ramon’s updated Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.”
Photo Credit: Steinberg Hart Website / Project Site Map
The firm also highlighted the eco-friendly focus built into the neighborhood’s blueprint, stating: “Sustainability is integral to the project’s design approach. Canopy incorporates drought-tolerant landscaping and shared open spaces, while connecting residents to an extensive network of walkable streets and greenways throughout Bishop Ranch,” the firm explained. “Together, these strategies reduce environmental impact, promote healthier lifestyles, and contribute to the long-term resilience of the community.”
While the design focuses on long-term community resilience, local residents are looking at how the project will change their day-to-day lives, and many aren’t thrilled. For neighbors who have watched Bishop Ranch evolve over the years, the plan to add hundreds of new homes has been met with strong resistance from critics, raising serious concerns over traffic, crowded schools, and the loss of local commercial space.
A resident posting under the name Ferd Fhr captured the frustration of many neighbors, commenting, “It feels like the city’s priorities are backwards. Instead of continuing to approve more three-story apartments and condos, I’d rather see more restaurants, local shops, and a true downtown that gives people places to gather, dine, and support small businesses. Growth is important, but it should be balanced with the businesses and amenities that make a community worth living in.”
Many locals echoed that sentiment, drawing comparisons to more established nearby town centers. Resident Phil Macaulay pointed out that neighboring areas like “Livermore, Danville, and Walnut Creek have real downtown areas and they are very nice to walk around,” noting that those communities successfully prioritize “many restaurants and shops NOT housing.” Expressing his exhaustion with the city’s current development trajectory, Macaulay added, “ENOUGH San Ramon no more!”
Local resident Casey Ess argued that if the city is going to add more homes, “it should be required that additional infrastructure (like bringing back Nob Hill)” be built alongside new schools and expanded public transit options. That concern reflects the overwhelming majority of community feedback, with residents warning that local traffic is already congested and predicting the new housing project will turn it into a total nightmare.
Longtime San Ramon resident Ronnie Wallace pointed out how much the city’s identity has changed over the decades, observing, “I’ve been here 43 years [and there’s been] lots of changes. As more and more homes/condos are being built, restaurants and small shops are closing down!”
For Wallace and his neighbors, the Canopy project isn’t just another construction site; it shows just how far apart the city’s plans are from what people living here actually want.
Beyond these developments, Lennar Homes is currently battling multiple high-profile lawsuits over alleged systemic construction defects, including severe water intrusion, structural damage, and mold in newly built homes.
According to various news reports, Lennar Homes “has been hit with a class action by dozens of plaintiffs who claim the builder sold them faulty homes in the fast-growing Sacramento suburb of Elk Grove. This complaint is the latest of 10 construction defect cases filed against the Miami-based homebuilder in Sacramento Superior Court in the last five years.”
The lawsuits align with consumer complaints on social media, where thousands of homeowners across the country have turned to platforms like Reddit to share their grievances. For example, one Florida homeowner posted about a bizarre design flaw, “We have a Lennar built townhome in Kissimmee. The upstairs master bath has a drop in tub surrounded by tile. There is no access to the plumbing and we have an issue to resolve with no hot water coming out. Had a plumber come out and tried but couldn’t figure out the problem. Do we have to remove the tub and possibly break the tile to find access to pipes? Anyone have this same issue?”
Another user responded with a warning, “Same thing happened to us in a FL Lennar home purchased Jan 2023. Don’t buy Lennar no matter where you live.”
Other buyers report facing devastating, high-cost repairs shortly after moving in. As another Reddit user detailed, “I have spent over $67,000 helping my daughter fix her 2-year-old Lennar home. We just found out she has black mold in her attic and needs to leave. DO NOT PURCHASE FROM LENNAR in Western Washington.”
The post concluded with a sharp criticism of the company, “Lennar should be ashamed of themselves, but instead, they are running to the bank with billions.”
When asked about the Canopy project in San Ramon, a Lennar Homes representative, identified as Alex, was “unable to confirm or comment on the partnership or project at this time.” When further questioned about the company’s recent legal troubles, the representative added, “I do not have access to information or statements regarding any recent lawsuits involving Lennar.”
Despite the lack of comment, plans for the Canopy neighborhood remain on schedule. The project represents one of the largest housing expansions in Bishop Ranch to date.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at kathleen.p@lead4earth.org or comment below.
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